BOISE, ID – Boise State Athletics announced a $1.5 million donation to fund a new blue turf at Albertsons Stadium, with installation scheduled to be completed before the start of the 2026 football season. The donor chose to remain anonymous.
“The Blue is incredibly important to our identity and national brand,” said Athletic Director Jeramiah Dickey. “As we prepare for a new conference and the completion of the North End Zone Project, this investment helps us continue to invest in the student-athlete experience.”
The new turf is part of Boise State’s Unbridled Campaign, which seeks to raise $500 million by 2028 to support student access, faculty innovation, and athletics. Boise State University Foundation CEO Argia Beristain called the gift “a symbol of our innovation and determination,” noting the field’s iconic status since it turned blue in 1986, the first non-green artificial football field in the nation.
This will be the sixth turf replacement in school history, following previous installations in 1995, 2002, 2008, 2010, and 2019. The BLUE turf has also been recognized for the third consecutive year as Best Attraction for Sports Fans by the USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice contest, drawing visitors from across the U.S. and around the world.
The new playing surface coincides with the North End Zone Project, which will add about 1,600 seats, 12 field-level suites, 44 loge boxes, 148 ledge seats, and 872 club seats, along with the Simplot Nutrition Lounge to support all 18 Boise State programs and more than 350 student-athletes. The project also includes a 360-degree concourse to enhance the fan and student-athlete experience.
